Asia top stories - weekly summary

SINGAPORE (ICIS)--Here are some of the top stories from ICIS Asia and the Middle East for the week ended 26 October 2012.

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Focus Asian etac prices to remain stable on feedstock, demand Spot prices of ethyl acetate (etac) in Asia may remain stable in the near term because of static upstream prices and unchanged regional demand, market sources said on Monday.

Focus China’s phenol prices may stabilise on feedstock costs, supply cutsSpot prices of phenol in China may halt a decline in the near term because of strong feedstock benzene costs and tighter regional supply, said market sources on Wednesday.

Focus South Korea PP makers may cut plant runs on margin squeezeSouth Korea’s polypropylene (PP) producers are inclined to cut output in November if their margins get squeezed further, industry sources said on Wednesday.

Focus Tight supply, firm demand to support Asia naphtha crack spreadAsia’s naphtha crack spread will be supported by tight availability of cargoes from the Middle East and Europe, as well as healthy demand from South Korean and Taiwanese cracker operators, traders said on Thursday.

Focus Short supply to support China BR prices amid soft demandSpot domestic prices of butadiene rubber (BR) in China are likely to be supported at current levels by tight supply, as local producers shut facilities amid poor market conditions, industry sources said on Friday.

Focus Asia BR price pressures heighten on supply from east EuropeAsia’s butadiene rubber producers face increasing competition from east European suppliers, which have been diverting surplus stocks into the region, while no recovery in demand is imminent in the near term, industry sources said on Friday.

Focus Middle East PET price trend to turn bearish in NovemberPrices of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) in the Middle East are set to decline in the next few months, as demand turns bearish with the onset of winter, suppliers and buyers said on Tuesday.